Decoloring apparatus

ABSTRACT

According to one embodiment, an decoloring apparatus includes: an decoloring processing unit configured to apply decoloring processing decoloring a color of an decolorable colorant; a sheet conveying unit configured to convey the sheet and cause the sheet to pass through the decoloring processing unit; an image reading unit arranged further on an upstream side than the decoloring processing unit in a sheet conveying direction by the sheet conveying unit and configured to read the image formed on the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying unit; a thickness sensor arranged further on the upstream side than the decoloring processing unit in the sheet conveying direction by the sheet conveying unit and configured to detect thickness of the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying unit; an decolorability determining unit configured to determine, on the basis of a detection result in at least one of the image reading unit and the thickness sensor, executability of the decoloring processing in the decoloring processing unit of the sheet set as a detection target; a storing unit configured to store information indicating a number of sheets determined as decoloring processing unexecutable by the decolorability determining unit; and a display control unit configured to cause, when the apparatus is started, a display to screen-display the information stored in the storing unit indicating the number of sheets determined as decoloring processing unexecutable by the decolorability determining unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from:U.S. provisional application 61/317,222, filed on Mar. 24, 2010; U.S.provisional application 61/317,216, filed on Mar. 24, 2010; U.S.provisional application No. 61/317,211, filed on Mar. 24, 2010; theentire contents all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to an information displaytechnique in an decoloring apparatus that decolors a color of an imageformed with an decolorable colorant.

BACKGROUND

In the past, an decoloring apparatus has been known that applies heatingprocessing to a sheet, on which an image is formed with a so-calleddecolorable colorant, to decolor a color of the image on the sheet andmakes the sheet reusable.

An decoloring apparatus has also been known that determines whethervarious sheets to be subjected to decoloring processing are decolorableand determines whether the decoloring processing is successful.

In the decoloring processing in the decoloring apparatus, in some case,the decoloring processing cannot be executed or cannot be sufficientlyperformed because there is a tear or a bend in a sheet to be subjectedto the decoloring processing or a stapled bundle of sheets is directlyset.

When a viewpoint of a reduction in an environmental load is taken intoaccount, it is important to grasp information concerning a processingstate of the decoloring processing in the decoloring apparatus. However,in a user interface screen in the past, it is difficult to grasp suchinformation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an external appearance of an decoloringapparatus E according to a first embodiment viewed from above;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the external appearance of the decoloringapparatus E according to the first embodiment viewed from the front;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of an internal configuration ofthe decoloring apparatus E according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a functional configuration of thedecoloring apparatus E according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example of a data table of logs of variouskinds of processing accumulated in a HDD 804;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an example of the data table of logs of variouskinds of processing accumulated in the HDD 804;

FIG. 7 is a diagram of an example of the data table of logs of variouskinds of processing accumulated in the HDD 804;

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram for explaining the decoloringapparatus E according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of processing (a displaycontrol method) in the decoloring apparatus E according to the firstembodiment;

FIG. 10 is a diagram of an example of display contents on an interfacescreen in the decoloring apparatus E according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a diagram of an example of display contents on the interfacescreen in the decoloring apparatus E according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a diagram of an example of display contents on the interfacescreen in the decoloring apparatus E according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a diagram of an example of display contents on the interfacescreen in the decoloring apparatus E according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a diagram of an example of display contents on the interfacescreen in the decoloring apparatus E according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a diagram of an example of display contents on the interfacescreen in the decoloring apparatus E according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a diagram of an example of display contents on the interfacescreen in the decoloring apparatus E according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a diagram of an example of a history screen displayed on adisplay unit 805 a by a display control unit 102;

FIG. 18 is a diagram of a state in which a folder icon “Yesterday” isselected and a totalization result is screen-displayed on the displayunit 805 a;

FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram for explaining an decoloringapparatus E2 according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of processing (a displaycontrol method) in the decoloring apparatus E2 according to the secondembodiment;

FIG. 21 is a diagram of an example of a screen displayed on the displayunit 805 a by a display control unit 102 b in the second embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a diagram of an example of a screen displayed on the displayunit 805 a by the display control unit 102 b in the second embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a diagram of an example of a screen displayed on the displayunit 805 a by the display control unit 102 b in the second embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a functional block diagram for explaining an decoloringapparatus E3 according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 25 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of processing (a displaycontrol method) in the decoloring apparatus E3 according to the thirdembodiment; and

FIG. 26 is a diagram of a state in which, when decoloring processing inthe decoloring apparatus E3 is completed, a totalization result and thelike of various kinds of information concerning a result of thedecoloring processing are screen-displayed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, according to one embodiment, an decoloring apparatusincludes an decoloring processing unit, a sheet conveying unit, an imagereading unit, a thickness sensor, an decolorability determining unit, astoring unit, a display, and a display control unit.

The decoloring processing unit subjects a sheet on which an image isformed with an decolorable colorant to decoloring processing decoloringa color of the decolorable colorant. The sheet conveying unit conveysthe sheet and causes the sheet to pass through the decoloring processingunit. The image reading unit is arranged further on an upstream sidethan the decoloring processing unit in a sheet conveying direction bythe sheet conveying unit and reads the image formed on the sheetconveyed by the sheet conveying unit. The thickness sensor is arrangedfurther on the upstream side than the decoloring processing unit in thesheet conveying direction by the sheet conveying unit and detects thethickness of the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying unit. Thedecolorability determining unit determines, on the basis of a detectionresult in at least one of the image reading unit and the thicknesssensor, executability of the decoloring processing in the decoloringprocessing unit for the sheet set as a detection target. The storingunit stores information indicating the number of sheets for which thedecoloring processing is determined as unexecutable by thedecolorability determining unit. The display control unit causes, whenthe apparatus is started, the display to screen-display the informationstored in the storing unit indicating the number of sheets for which thedecoloring processing is determined as unexecutable by thedecolorability determining unit.

Embodiments are explained below with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

First Embodiment

First, a first embodiment is explained.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the external appearance of an decoloringapparatus E according to the first embodiment viewed from above. FIG. 2is a front view of the external appearance of the decoloring apparatus Eaccording to the first embodiment viewed from the front.

The decoloring apparatus E subjects a sheet on which an image is formedwith an “decolorable colorant” such as a so-called decolorable toner ordecolorable ink to “decoloring processing” for decoloring a color of thedecolorable colorant.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the decoloring apparatus E according to thefirst embodiment includes a processor 801, an ASIC (Application SpecificIntegrated Circuit) 802, a memory 803 (equivalent to a storing unit), aHDD (Hard Disk Drive) 804 (equivalent to a storing unit), a display unit805 a, a touch panel-type operation unit 805 b (equivalent to anoperation input unit), a button-type operation unit 806 (equivalent toan operation input unit), an IC card reader 807, feeding cassettes 505and 506, discharge cassettes 501 and 502, and a reject box 509.

The display unit 805 a can include, for example, an electronic paper, anLCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an EL (Electronic Luminescence), a PDP(Plasma Display Panel), or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube).

The display unit 805 a and the touch panel-type operation unit 805 bcooperate with each other, whereby a so-called touch panel display isrealized.

In the decoloring apparatus E according to this embodiment, theprocessor 801 has a role of performing various kinds of processing inthe decoloring apparatus E. The processor 801 also has a role ofrealizing various functions by executing computer programs stored in thememory 803, the HDD 804, and the like. It goes without saying that theprocessor 801 can also be realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) oran MPU (Micro Processing Unit) that can execute equivalent arithmeticprocessing. Similarly, the HDD 804 can be replaced with a storage devicesuch as a flash memory.

The memory 803 can include, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory), aROM (Read Only Memory), a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), an SRAM(Static Random Access Memory), a VRAM (Video RAM), or a flash memory.The memory 803 has a role of storing various kinds of information andcomputer programs used in the decoloring apparatus E.

The IC card reader 807 reads ID information of a user from an IC cardcarried by the user. The processor 801 performs personal authenticationprocessing on the basis of the ID information read by the IC card reader807.

The processor 801 and the ASIC 802 can perform information transmissionand reception with external apparatuses such as a network server and animage forming apparatus (MFP: Multi Function Peripheral) through, forexample, a LAN line.

An internal configuration of the decoloring apparatus E is explained indetail below.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the internal configuration ofthe decoloring apparatus E according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 isa block diagram of a functional configuration of the decoloringapparatus E according to the first embodiment.

The decoloring apparatus E includes, for example, the feeding cassettes505 and 506 configured to stack and store sheets having images formedthereon to be subjected to decoloring processing, the dischargecassettes 501 and 502 configured to store the sheets subjected to thedecoloring processing in the decoloring apparatus E, the reject box 509(equivalent to a disposal sheet storing unit) configured to storeun-reusable sheets, a lever-type thickness sensor 507 configured todetect the thickness of a conveyed sheet, double feed sensors 508configured to detect double feed of sheets fed from the feedingcassettes 505 and 506, an optical line sensor 504 for detecting aprinting state (including luminance, soil, stain, crease, and color) ofan image formed on a surface of the conveyed sheet, decoloringprocessing units 503 a and 503 b configured to heat and decolor theimage formed with an decolorable colorant on the sheet, conveying pathsPa to Pj and the like for leading a conveyance target sheet in apredetermined sheet conveying direction, conveying rollers R3 to R8configured to convey the sheet through the conveying paths Pa to Pj andthe like, sheet feeding rollers R1 and R2 configured to feed the sheetsfrom the feeding cassettes 505 and 506 to the conveying paths, dischargerollers R9 and R10 configured to discharge the sheets subjected to thedecoloring processing to the discharge cassettes 501 and 502, andflappers F provided at branch points of the conveying paths.

The conveying paths Pa to Pj and the like and the conveying rollers R3to R8 and the like are equivalent to a “sheet conveying unit”. Theconveying rollers R1 to R10 are controlled to be driven by the processor801. Conveying directions of a sheet conveyed by the sheet conveyingunit are regulated by the flappers F controlled by the processor 801.

The sheet conveying unit includes the conveying paths Pc, Pd, and Peserving as a “disposal sheet conveying path” for conveying a sheetpassed through the line sensor 504 (an image reading unit) in the sheetconveying direction to the reject box 509 configured to storeun-reusable sheets.

The line sensor 504 and the processor 801 cooperate with each other torealize a function of the “image reading unit”.

The line sensor 504 is arranged further on the upstream side in thesheet conveying direction than the decoloring processing units 503 a and503 b and scans an image formed on the sheet conveyed by the sheetconveying unit. The processor 801 detects, on the basis of image dataread from the sheet by the line sensor 504, a printing ratio, printingdensity, a printing color (equivalent to printing state information),and the like of the image formed on the sheet.

The line sensor 504 can read, concerning both sides of the sheet, theprinting ratio, the printing density, the printing color, and the likeas the “printing state information”.

The thickness sensor 507 and the processor 801 cooperate with each otherto realize a function of a “sheet-thickness detecting unit”. Thethickness sensor 507 is arranged further on the upstream side than thedecoloring processing units 503 a and 503 b in the sheet conveyingdirection by the sheet conveying unit. The thickness sensor 507 includesa lever member 507L that can rotate with a rotating shaft 507 r as afulcrum. The lever member 507L is urged by an elastic member such as aspring in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 2 with the rotating shaft507 r as a fulcrum. The thickness sensor 507 detects a rotation angle ofthe lever member 507L, which retracts according to the thickness of asheet passing near the thickness sensor 507 in the sheet conveying path,with an optical sensor or the like and obtains information concerningthe thickness of the sheet.

The processor 801 is equivalent to a “processing control unit”.

The decoloring processing unit 503 a includes rollers a1 and a2 and abelt a3 wound and suspended around the rollers. The belt a3 also rotatesaccording to rotation of the rollers. At least one of the rollers a1 anda2 is driven to rotate by the processor 801. At least one of the rollersa1 and a2 is heated by a heater controlled by the processor 801.

Similarly, the decoloring processing unit 503 b includes rollers b1 andb2 and a belt b3 wound and suspended around the rollers. The belt b3also rotates according to rotation of the rollers. At least one of therollers b1 and b2 is driven to rotate by the processor 801. At least oneof the rollers b1 and b2 is heated by the heater controlled by theprocessor 801.

The decoloring processing units 503 a and 503 b having the configurationexplained above heat a sheet nipped and conveyed by the belts a3 and b3,the conveying rollers R6 and R7, and the like while conveying the sheetto thereby decolor an image of an decolorable colorant formed on thesheet.

The processor 801 (the processing control unit) controls controlparameters for the decoloring processing by the decoloring processingunits 503 a and 503 b, sheet conveying speed by the sheet conveyingunit, and the like on the basis of the acquired printing stateinformation.

Further, the processor 801 conveys the sheet subjected to the decoloringprocessing to the line sensor 504 through the conveying path Pj and theconveying path Pg to thereby cause the line sensor 504 to read images onboth sides of the sheet subjected to the decoloring processing.

A basic operation of processing in the decoloring apparatus E accordingto the first embodiment is explained below.

The processor 801 controls the sheet feeding roller R1 or R2 to feed asheet Sb to be subjected to the decoloring processing from the cassette505 or 506 to the sheet conveying path.

The double feed sensors 508 perform double feed detection of sheets fedfrom the cassettes 505 and 506.

If double feed is detected by any of the double feed sensors 508, theprocessor 801 drives the conveying roller R3 or R4 to discharge thesheets, the double feed of which is detected, to the reject box 509through the conveying path Pc or Pd.

Subsequently, the processor 801 acquires information by detecting, usingthe thickness sensor 507, the thickness of one sheet fed without beingdoubly fed.

If the sheet thickness detected by the thickness sensor 507 exceeds apredetermined threshold, the processor 801 discharges the sheet to thereject box 509 through the conveying paths Pb, Ph, and Pe.

The conveying path Pb is provided further on the upstream side than theline sensor 504 in the sheet conveying direction. This makes it possibleto prevent a sheet having thickness exceeding a tolerance in the linesensor 504 from entering the line sensor 504. Therefore, it is possibleto prevent occurrence of deficiencies such as a sheet jam and breakagein the line sensor 504.

If sheets are not doubly fed and the sheet thickness does not exceed thepredetermined threshold, the processor 801 causes the line sensor 504 toread images on both sides of the sheet.

The processor 801 controls the conveying rollers R6, R7, R5, and thelike to discharge a sheet having a “printing ratio” or “printingdensity”, which is detected based on the images read by the line sensor504, exceeding a predetermined threshold to the reject box 509 throughthe conveying paths Pi, Pj, and Pe.

The processor 801 (the processing control unit) controls, on the basisof information acquired from the line sensor 504, the thickness sensor507, and the like, control parameters of the decoloring processingperformed by the decoloring processing units 503 a and 503 b and thesheet conveying unit in cooperation with each other.

The processor 801 executes, on the basis of the control parameters setto correspond to a sheet to be subjected to the decoloring processing asexplained above, the decoloring processing performed by the conveyingrollers R6 and R7, the decoloring processing units 503 a and 503 b, andthe like in cooperation with one another on the sheet.

The processor 801 conveys the sheet subjected to the decoloringprocessing to the line sensor 504 through the conveying paths Pj and Pgto thereby read images on both sides of the sheet subjected to thedecoloring processing.

As a result of the image reading, if it is determined that a color of acolorant remains on the sheet at density equal to or larger than apredetermined value, the processor 801 determines how many times thedecoloring processing is already repeated for the sheet. If thedecoloring processing is repeated the number of times equal to or largerthan a predefined number of times, the processor 801 determines that itis difficult to decolor the colorant and causes the sheet conveying unitto discharge the sheet to the reject box 509 through the conveying pathsPi, Pj, and Pe. History information concerning how many times thedecoloring processing is applied to a certain sheet can be stored in,for example, the memory 803 or the HDD 804.

On the other hand, if the decoloring processing is not repeated thenumber of times equal to or larger than the predefined number of times,the processor 801 executes the decoloring processing again.

The processor 801 reads the images on both the sides of the sheetsubjected to the decoloring processing with the line sensor 504. If itis determined that the colorant having density equal to or larger thanthe predetermined value does not remain on the sheet, the processor 801causes the sheet conveying unit to discharge the sheet to the dischargecassette 501 or 502 through the conveying paths Pi, Pj, and Pf.

The processor 801 and the ASIC 802 accumulate logs of various kinds ofprocessing performed in the decoloring apparatus E in the HDD 804 as adata table. Further, in order to perform dynamic display processinginvolved in the execution of the decoloring processing, the processor801 and the ASIC 802 perform processing for data addition to the datatable on a real time basis every time data that should be added isgenerated. The processor 801 and the ASIC 802 always refer to thedynamically-updated data table to thereby dynamically update displaycontents (e.g., data contents of the data table) on the display unit 805a.

FIGS. 5 to 7 are diagrams of examples of the data table of the logs ofthe various kinds of processing accumulated in the HDD 804.

First, the processor 801 and the ASIC 802 register information of items(1) to (6) below in association with an decoloring processing ID issuedfor each kind of decoloring processing when the decoloring processing isperformed in the decoloring apparatus E (see FIG. 5).

-   (1) Processing execution day (a day when the decoloring processing    is executed)-   (2) User ID (an ID of a user who instructs execution of the    decoloring processing)-   (3) Department (a department to which the user having the ID    belongs)-   (4) Number of decoloring processing executed sheets (the number of    sheets subjected to the decoloring processing having the processing    ID (on which execution of the decoloring processing is attempted))-   (5) Number of decoloring processing successful sheets (the number of    sheets for which the decoloring processing having the processing ID    is successful)-   (6) Number of decoloring processing unsuccessful sheets (the number    of sheets for which the decoloring processing having the processing    ID is unsuccessful)

Further, the processor 801 and the ASIC 802 register information ofitems (7) to (10) below in association with the decoloring processing IDissued for each kind of decoloring processing when the decoloringprocessing is performed in the decoloring apparatus E (see FIG. 6).

-   (7) Total number of decoloring unsuccessful sheets (a total number    of sheets for which the decoloring processing having the processing    ID is unsuccessful)-   (8) Reuse ratio [%] (a ratio of the number of sheets for which the    decoloring processing having the processing ID is successful to the    number of sheets on which the decoloring processing is executed    (=((5)/(4))×100))-   (9) Improvement content guidance ID (an ID indicating guidance    contents desired to be presented to the user on the basis of a    result of the decoloring processing having the processing ID)-   (10) Environmental load contribution ratio (a numerical value    obtained by multiplying the number of decoloring processing    successful sheets with a predetermined coefficient)

Moreover, the processor 801 and the ASIC 802 register each ofpredetermined periods and information of items (11) to (13) belowconcerning processing contents of respective kinds of decoloringprocessing executed in the periods in association with each other whenthe decoloring processing is performed in the decoloring apparatus E(see FIG. 7).

-   (11) Number of in-period printed sheets (the number of sheets on    which the print processing is executed in the period in a specific    image forming apparatus (e.g., an image forming apparatus with which    the decoloring apparatus E can communicate) set in advance)-   (12) Number of in-period decoloring processing executed sheets (the    number of sheets on which the decoloring processing is executed (the    decoloring processing is attempted) in the decoloring apparatus E in    the period)-   (13) Number of in-period decoloring processing successful sheets    (the number of sheets for which the decoloring processing executed    by the decoloring apparatus E is successful in the period)

The processor 801 and the ASIC 802 can sort or process each data of thedata table, which is stored in the HDD 804, in a desired array orarrangement order and use the data. For example, the processor 801 andthe ASIC 802 can generate the data of (7) to (13) by processing ortotalizing the data of (1) to (6).

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram for explaining the decoloringapparatus E according to the first embodiment.

The decoloring apparatus E according to the first embodiment includes andecolorability determining unit 101, a display control unit 102, areuse-ratio calculating unit 103, a contribution-ratio calculating unit104, a number-of-printed-sheets-information acquiring unit 105, and andecoloring-processing-execution-ratio calculating unit 106.

The decolorability determining unit 101 determines, on the basis of adetection result in at least one of the line sensor 504 (the imagereading unit) and the thickness sensor 507, executability of thedecoloring processing in the decoloring processing units 503 a and 503 bfor a sheet set as the detection target.

If the sheet set as the detection target is a “sheet on which thedecoloring processing in the decoloring processing units cannot beexecuted”, the decolorability determining unit 101 determines, on thebasis of the detection result in at least one of the line sensor 504 andthe thickness sensor 507, to which of plural predetermined results areason for unexecutability of the decoloring processing corresponds.

In this embodiment, several reference values for “reasons forunexecutability of the decoloring processing” are stored in advance in astorage area such as the HDD 804. If any one of the reference values isexceeded, the decolorability determining unit 101 determines a reasoncorresponding to the reference value as a “reason for unexecutability ofthe decoloring processing”.

Specific examples of the “reasons for unexecutability of the decoloringprocessing” include the following:

-   (1) an undecolored image remains on a sheet (e.g., the image is    drawn by an undecolorable pen such as a ballpoint pen);-   (2) there is a bend or a tear in a sheet;-   (3) sheets are bundled (e.g., a sheet bundle is stapled); and-   (4) an object is left on a sheet (e.g., a tag is attached to the    sheet).

The display control unit 102 causes, when the decoloring apparatus E isstarted, the display unit 805 a to screen-display information stored inthe memory 803 or the HDD 804 indicating the number of sheets determinedas “decoloring processing unexecutable” by the decolorabilitydetermining unit 101.

If the display control unit 102 receives, in the touch panel-typeoperation unit 805 b, a display request for a totalization result of“information indicating the number of sheets determined as decoloringprocessing unexecutable by the decolorability determining unit 101”stored in the memory 803 or the HDD 804 based on information concerningat least one of an “execution day of the decoloring processing” and“identification information of a user who instructs execution of thedecoloring processing”, the display control unit 102 causes the displayunit 805 a to screen-display the totalization result.

The reuse-ratio calculating unit 103 calculates “information indicatinga reuse ratio of a sheet” on the basis of (1) the number of sheetsdetermined as decoloring processing unexecutable by the decolorabilitydetermining unit 101 and (2) the number of sheets set as the detectiontargets by the thickness sensor 507.

The display control unit 102 causes the display unit 805 a toscreen-display the “information indicating a reuse ratio of a sheet”.

The display control unit 102 causes, on the basis of a determinationresult in the decolorability determining unit 101, the display unit 805a to screen-display “number of sheets determined as decoloringprocessing unexecutable because of each of plural reasons forunexecutability of the decoloring processing” in association with “eachof the plural reasons for unexecutability of the decoloring processing”.

The display control unit 102 causes the display unit 805 a toscreen-display a “predetermined advice content for improving a state ofunexecutability of the decoloring processing based on the reason” inassociation with a “reason for unexecutability of the decoloringprocessing” determined by the decolorability determining unit 101.

Further, the display control unit 102 causes, on the basis of thedetermination result in the decolorability determining unit 101, thedisplay unit 805 a to screen-display the “number of sheets determined asdecoloring processing unexecutable because of each of plural reasons forunexecutability of the decoloring processing” in association with “eachof the plural reasons for unexecutability of the decoloring processing”and causes the display unit 805 a to screen-display a predeterminedadvice content for improving a state of unexecutability of thedecoloring processing due to a reason that the number of sheetsdetermined as decoloring processing unexecutable is the largest.

The contribution-ratio calculating unit 104 calculates the “number ofsheets actually subjected to the decoloring processing” on the basis ofthe number of sheets determined as “decoloring processing unexecutable”by the decolorability determining unit 101 and the number of sheets setas the detection targets by the thickness sensor 507 and calculates“environmental load contribution ratio (e.g., a reduction amount ofCO₂)” calculated by multiplying the number of sheets subjected to thedecoloring processing with a specified coefficient.

The display control unit 102 causes the display unit 805 a toscreen-display the “environmental load contribution ratio” calculated bythe contribution-ratio calculating unit 104.

The number-of-printed-sheets-information acquiring unit 105 acquires“information indicating the number of sheets subjected to printprocessing in an image forming apparatus that can communicate with thedecoloring apparatus E”.

The decoloring-processing-execution-ratio calculating unit 106calculates an “decoloring processing execution ratio” that is a ratio ofthe number of sheets subjected to the decoloring processing, which iscalculated on the basis of the number of sheets determined as“decoloring processing unexecutable” by the decolorability determiningunit 101 and the number of sheets set as the detection targets by thethickness sensor, to the number of sheets acquired by thenumber-of-printed-sheets-information acquiring unit 105.

The display control unit 102 causes the display unit 805 a toscreen-display the “decoloring processing execution ratio”.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of processing (a displaycontrol method) in the decoloring apparatus E according to the firstembodiment. FIGS. 10 to 16 are diagrams of examples of display contentson an interface screen in the decoloring apparatus E according to thefirst embodiment.

The decolorability determining unit 101 determines decolorability of thedecoloring processing in the decoloring processing units 503 a and 503 bof a sheet set as the detection target in at least one of the linesensor 504 and the thickness sensor 507 (ACT 101).

The reuse-ratio calculating unit 103 calculates “information indicatinga reuse ratio of a sheet” on the basis of (1) the number of sheetsdetermined as decoloring processing unexecutable by the decolorabilitydetermining unit 101 and (2) the number of sheets set as the detectiontargets by the thickness sensor 507 (ACT 102).

The contribution-ratio calculating unit 104 calculates the “number ofsheets actually subjected to the decoloring processing” on the basis ofthe number of sheets determined as “decoloring processing unexecutable”and the number of sheets set as the detection targets by the thicknesssensor 507 and calculates an “environmental load contribution ratio”calculated by multiplying the number of sheets subjected to thedecoloring processing with a specified coefficient (ACT 103).

The number-of-printed-sheets-information acquiring unit 105 acquires“information indicating the number of sheets subjected to the printprocessing in an image forming apparatus that can communicate with thedecoloring apparatus E” (ACT 104).

The decoloring-processing-execution ratio calculating unit 106calculates an “decoloring processing execution ratio” that is a ratio ofthe number of sheets subjected to the decoloring processing, which iscalculated on the basis of the number of sheets determined as“decoloring processing unexecutable” by the decolorability determiningunit 101 and the number of sheets set as the detection targets by thethickness sensor 507, to the number of sheets acquired by thenumber-of-printed-sheets-information acquiring unit 105 (ACT 105).

The display control unit 102 causes, when the decoloring apparatus E isstarted, the display unit 805 a to screen-display information stored inthe memory 803 or the HDD 804 indicating the number of sheets determinedas “decoloring processing unexecutable” by the decolorabilitydetermining unit 101 (ACT 106).

The display control unit 102 causes the display unit 805 a toscreen-display “information indicating a reuse ratio of a sheet”.

The display control unit 102 causes, on the basis of a determinationresult in the decolorability determining unit 101, the display unit 805a to screen-display the “number of sheets determined as decoloringprocessing unexecutable because of each of plural reasons forunexecutability of the decoloring processing” in association with “eachof the plural reasons for unexecutability of the decoloring processing”.

The display control unit 102 causes the display unit 805 a toscreen-display, in association with a “reason for unexecutability of thedecoloring processing” determined by the decolorability determining unit101, a “predetermined advice content for improving a state ofunexecutability of the decoloring processing based on the reason”.

The display control unit 102 causes the display unit 805 a toscreen-display the “environmental load contribution ratio” calculated bythe contribution-ratio calculating unit 104.

The display control unit 102 causes the display unit 805 a toscreen-display the “decoloring processing execution ratio”.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of an example of a main menu screen displayed onthe display unit 805 a by the display control unit 102.

On the main menu screen, an arbitrary sheet can be selected by tabs t1to t5.

In FIG. 10, a state in which the tab t1 is selected and a main menudisplay screen is displayed is shown. In FIG. 11, a state in which thetab t2 is selected and a reuse ratio display screen is displayed isshown. In FIG. 12, a state in which the tab t3 is selected and a rejectstate display screen is displayed is shown. In FIG. 13, a state in whichthe tab t4 is selected and a log display screen (on which informationsuch as a CO₂ reduction amount and a reuse ratio is displayed) isdisplayed is shown. In FIG. 14, a state in which the tab t5 is selectedand a level setting display screen is displayed is shown.

On the main menu screen shown in FIG. 10, a department button m1, anindividual button m2, an administrator button m3, a stop button m4, anda start button m5 are displayed on a lower side of the screen.

When the user causes the IC card reader 807 to read an IC card in whichID information of the user is stored and performs personalauthentication, the user can view, by pressing the individual button m2,a totalization result of information concerning a processing result ofdecoloring processing (based on information stored in the HDD 804 inassociation with the ID information of the user) that the user causesthe decoloring apparatus E to perform.

When the user causes the IC card reader 807 to read the IC card in whichthe ID information of the user is stored, performs personalauthentication, and then presses the department button m1, the user canview a totalization result concerning decoloring processing based oninformation associated with a department to which the user belongs.

In FIGS. 11 to 14, screen display examples displayed when the tabs t2 tot5 are respectively selected in a state in which the user, who performsthe personal authentication, presses the individual button m2 are shown.

FIG. 15 is a diagram of a screen display example on the display unit 805a in a state in which the user presses the start button m5 and thedecoloring processing in the decoloring apparatus E is started.

As shown in FIG. 15, values of the “number of printed sheets”, the“number of sheets subjected to the decoloring processing in thedecoloring apparatus E”, a “CO₂ amount reduced by the execution of thedecoloring processing”, and the “number of cedar trees indicatingcontribution to the environment by the execution of the decoloringprocessing”, which are zero before the start of the decoloringprocessing, are updated and displayed on a real time basis according tothe start of the decoloring processing.

FIG. 16 is a diagram of a screen display example on the display unit 805a at the time when the decoloring processing in the decoloring apparatusE is completed.

As shown in FIG. 16, the display control unit 102 causes, on the basisof a determination result in the decolorability determining unit 101,the display unit 805 a to classify and display the “number of sheetsdetermined as decoloring processing unexecutable because of each ofplural reasons for unexecutability of the decoloring processing” inassociation with “each of the plural reasons for unexecutability of thedecoloring processing”.

The display control unit 102 causes the display unit 805 a toscreen-display a predetermined improvement advice for improving a stateof unexecutability of the decoloring processing due to a reason that thenumber of sheets determined as decoloring processing unexecutable is thelargest.

FIG. 17 is an example of a history screen displayed on the display unit805 a by the display control unit 102.

On the history screen, as an example, predetermined various periods suchas “Older Entries”, “3 Weeks Ago”, “Last Week”, and “Yesterday” arerepresented by folder icons. If the user operates the touch panel-typeoperation unit 805 b to select a desired icon among a group of thefolder icons, the display control unit 102 causes the display unit 805 ato screen-display totalization information corresponding to the foldericon.

FIG. 18 is a diagram of a state in which the folder icon “Yesterday” isselected and a totalization result of information stored in the HDD 804as information indicating contents of decoloring processing executed inthe decoloring apparatus E yesterday is displayed on the display unit805 a.

According to timing of the start of the decoloring apparatus E, forexample, if the decoloring apparatus E is started on Monday, as shown inFIG. 11, the display control unit 102 acquires information indicating aprocessing result of decoloring processing performed last week in thedecoloring apparatus E from the HDD 804 and causes the display unit 805a to screen-display the information.

The operations in the processing in the decoloring apparatus E arerealized by causing the processor 801 to execute a computer programstored in the memory 803.

By adopting such a configuration, the user can easily grasp a state ofdecoloring processing performed by the user and a state of decoloringprocessing in the department to which the user belongs. As a result, itis possible to improve awareness of the user concerning paper reuse andimprove promotion of reuse of paper.

Further, according to the first embodiment, for example, it is possibleto provide an decoloring apparatus having a configuration explainedbelow.

-   (1). An decoloring apparatus including:

an decoloring processing unit configured to subject a sheet on which animage is formed with an decolorable colorant to decoloring processingfor decoloring a color of the decolorable colorant;

a sheet conveying unit configured to convey the sheet and cause thesheet to pass through the decoloring processing unit;

an image reading unit arranged further on an upstream side than thedecoloring processing unit in a sheet conveying direction by the sheetconveying unit and configured to read the image formed on the sheetconveyed by the sheet conveying unit;

a thickness sensor arranged further on the upstream side than thedecoloring processing unit in the sheet conveying direction by the sheetconveying unit and configured to detect the thickness of the sheetconveyed by the sheet conveying unit;

an decolorability determining unit configured to determine, on the basisof a detection result in at least one of the image reading unit and thethickness sensor, executability of the decoloring processing in thedecoloring processing unit of the sheet set as a detection target;

a storing unit configured to store information indicating the number ofsheets determined as decoloring processing unexecutable by thedecolorability determining unit;

a display; and

a display control unit configured to cause, when the apparatus isstarted, the display to screen-display the information stored in thestoring unit indicating the number of sheets determined as decoloringprocessing unexecutable by the decolorability determining unit.

-   (2). The apparatus of (1), wherein

the storing unit stores at least one of an execution day of thedecoloring processing and identification information of a user whoinstructs an execution of the decoloring processing and the informationindicating the number of sheets determined as decoloring processingunexecutable by the decolorability determining unit in association witheach other,

the apparatus further includes an operation input unit configured toreceive an operation input of the user, and

if the display control unit receives, in the operation input unit, adisplay request for a totalization result of the information stored inthe storing unit indicating the number of sheets determined asdecoloring processing unexecutable by the decolorability determiningunit, which is based on information concerning at least one of theexecution day of the decoloring processing and the identificationinformation of the user who instructs the execution of the decoloringprocessing, the display control unit causes the display toscreen-display the totalization result.

-   (3). The apparatus of (1), further including a reuse-ratio    calculating unit configured to calculate information indicating a    reuse ratio of the sheet on the basis of the number of sheets    determined as decoloring processing unexecutable by the    decolorability determining unit and the number of sheets set as the    detection targets by the thickness sensor, wherein

the display control unit causes the display to screen-display theinformation indicating the reuse ratio of the sheet.

-   (4). The apparatus of (1), wherein, if the sheet set as the    detection target is a sheet on which the decoloring processing in    the decoloring processing unit cannot be executed, the    decolorability determining unit determines, on the basis of the    detection result in at least one of the image reading unit and the    thickness sensor, to which of plural predetermined reasons a reason    for unexecutability of the decoloring processing corresponds.-   (5). The apparatus of (4), wherein the display control unit causes,    on the basis of a determination result in the decolorability    determining unit, the display to screen-display the number of sheets    determined as decoloring processing unexecutable because of each of    the plural reasons for unexecutability of the decoloring processing    in association with each of the plural reasons for unexecutability    of the decoloring processing.-   (6). The apparatus of (4), wherein the display control unit causes    the display to screen-display, in association with the reason for    decoloring processing unexecutability determined by the    decolorability determining unit, a predetermined advice content for    improving a state of unexecutability of the decoloring processing    based on the reason.-   (7). The apparatus of (4), wherein the display control unit causes,    on the basis of a determination result in the decolorability    determining unit, the display to screen-display the number of sheets    determined as decoloring processing unexecutable because of each of    the plural reasons for unexecutability of the decoloring processing    in association with each of the plural reasons for unexecutability    of the decoloring processing and causes the display to    screen-display a predetermined advice content for improving a state    of unexecutability of the decoloring processing due to a reason that    the number of sheets determined as decoloring processing    unexecutable is the largest.-   (8). The apparatus of (1), further including a contribution-ratio    calculating unit configured to calculate the number of sheets    subjected to the decoloring processing on the basis of the number of    sheets determined as decoloring processing unexecutable by the    decolorability determining unit and the number of sheets set as the    detection targets by the thickness sensor and calculate an    environmental load contribution ratio calculated by multiplying the    number of sheets subjected to the decoloring processing with a    specified coefficient, wherein

the display control unit causes the display to screen-display theenvironmental load contribution ratio calculated by thecontribution-ratio calculating unit.

-   (9). The apparatus of (8), wherein the environmental load    contribution ratio is a reduction amount of CO₂.-   (10). The apparatus of (1), further including:

a number-of-printed-sheets-information acquiring unit configured toacquire information indicating the number of sheets subjected to printprocessing in an image forming apparatus that can communicate with thedecoloring apparatus; and

an decoloring-processing-execution-ratio calculating unit configured tocalculate an decoloring processing execution ratio that is a ratio ofthe number of sheets subjected to the decoloring processing, which iscalculated on the basis of the number of sheets determined as decoloringprocessing unexecutable by the decolorability determining unit and thenumber of sheets set as the detection targets by the thickness sensor,to the number of sheets acquired by thenumber-of-printed-sheets-information acquiring unit, wherein

the display control unit causes the display to screen-display thedecoloring processing execution ratio.

-   (11). The apparatus of (1), wherein the display control unit causes,    when the apparatus is started, the display to screen-display a    totalization result of information stored in the storing unit    indicating a processing result of the decoloring processing executed    in a predetermined period in the past.

Second Embodiment

A second embodiment is explained below.

The second embodiment is a modification of the first embodimentexplained above. Therefore, components having functions same as those ofthe components already explained in the first embodiment are denoted bythe same reference numerals and signs and explanation of the componentsis omitted.

FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram for explaining an decoloringapparatus E2 according to the second embodiment.

The decoloring apparatus E2 according to the second embodiment includesa display control unit 102 b instead of the display control unit 102 inthe decoloring apparatus E according to the first embodiment. Thedisplay control unit 102 b has functions explained below in addition tothe functions of the display control unit 102 in the decoloringapparatus E according to the first embodiment.

The display control unit 102 b causes, for example, every time apredetermined time elapses, the display unit 805 a to sequentiallyswitch and display each of plural totalization results different fromeach other based on information stored in the HDD 804 indicating thenumber of sheets determined as decoloring processing unexecutable by thedecolorability determining unit.

The HDD 804 stores an execution day of decoloring processing andinformation indicating the number of sheets determined as decoloringprocessing unexecutable by the decolorability determining unit inassociation with each other.

If a display request for the totalization results is input to the touchpanel-type operation unit 805 b, the display control unit 102 b can alsocause the display unit 805 a to sequentially switch and display each ofthe plural totalization results (e.g., totalization results that can beviewed by selecting the tabs t1 to t4) different from one another basedon “information indicating the number of sheets determined as decoloringprocessing unexecutable by the decolorability determining unit” storedin the HDD 804.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of processing (a displaycontrol method) in the decoloring apparatus E2 according to the secondembodiment. The decoloring apparatus E2 according to the secondembodiment executes processing explained below in addition to theprocessing in the decoloring apparatus E according to the firstembodiment.

The HDD 804 stores an execution day of decoloring processing andinformation indicating the number of sheets determined as decoloringprocessing unexecutable by the decolorability determining unit inassociation with each other (ACT 201).

The display control unit 102 b determines whether a display request fora totalization result is input in the touch panel-type operation unit805 b or whether a predetermined time elapses (ACT 202).

The display control unit 102 b causes the display unit 805 a tosequentially switch and display each of plural totalization results(e.g., totalization results that can be viewed by selecting the tabs t1to t4) different from one another based on “information indicating thenumber of sheets determined as decoloring processing unexecutable by thedecolorability determining unit” stored in the HDD 804 (ACT 203).

FIGS. 21 to 23 are diagrams of examples of screens displayed on thedisplay unit 805 a by the display control unit 102 b in the decoloringapparatus E2 according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 21 to 23, the display control unit 102 b automaticallysequentially switches and displays, every time a predetermined time(e.g., three minutes) elapses, menu screens displayed by selecting thetabs t1 to t5.

By adopting such a configuration, a user can easily grasp a sheet reuseratio by the decoloring processing on the basis of various totalizationresults. As a result, it is possible to improve awareness of the userconcerning paper reuse and improve promotion of reuse of paper.

Further, according to the second embodiment, for example, it is possibleto provide an decoloring apparatus having a configuration explainedbelow.

-   (1). The decoloring apparatus having the configuration explained    above: wherein

the storing unit stores an execution day of decoloring processing andinformation indicating the number of sheets determined as decoloringprocessing unexecutable by the decolorability determining unit inassociation with each other, and

the display control unit causes, every time a predetermined timeelapses, the display to sequentially switch and display each of pluraltotalization results different from one another based on the informationstored in the storing unit indicating the number of sheets determined asdecoloring processing unexecutable by the decolorability determiningunit.

-   (2). The decoloring apparatus having the configuration explained    above, further including:

an operation input unit configured to receive an operation input of auser, wherein

the storing unit stores an execution day of decoloring processing andinformation indicating the number of sheets determined as decoloringprocessing unexecutable by the decolorability determining unit inassociation with each other, and

if a display request for a totalization result is input in the operationinput unit, the display control unit causes the display to sequentiallyswitch and display each of plural totalization results different fromone another based on the information stored in the storing unitindicating the number of sheets determined as decoloring processingunexecutable by the decolorability determining unit.

Third Embodiment

A third embodiment is explained below.

The third embodiment is a modification of the embodiments explainedabove. Therefore, components having functions same as those of thecomponents already explained in the embodiments are denoted by the samereference numerals and signs and explanation of the components isomitted.

FIG. 24 is a functional block diagram for explaining an decoloringapparatus E3 according to the third embodiment.

The decoloring apparatus E3 according to the third embodiment includes adisplay control unit 102 c instead of the display control unit 102 inthe decoloring apparatus E according to the first embodiment. Thedisplay control unit 102 c has functions explained below in addition tothe functions of the display control unit 102 in the decoloringapparatus E according to the first embodiment.

The display control unit 102 c causes, when decoloring processing iscompleted, the display unit 805 a to screen-display “informationindicating the number of sheets determined as decoloring processingunexecutable by the decolorability determining unit 101” stored in thestoring unit.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of processing (a displaycontrol method) in the decoloring apparatus E3 according to the thirdembodiment. The decoloring apparatus E3 according to the thirdembodiment executes processing explained below in addition to theprocessing according to the embodiments.

The display control unit 102 c determines whether decoloring processingexecuted in the decoloring apparatus E3 is completed (ACT 301).

If the decoloring processing is completed, the display control unit 102c causes the display unit 805 a to screen-display “informationindicating the number of sheets determined as decoloring processingunexecutable by the decolorability determining unit 101” stored in theHDD 804 (ACT 302).

FIG. 26 is a diagram of a state in which the display unit 805 a displaysa totalization result and the like of various kinds of informationconcerning a result of the decoloring processing in the decoloringapparatus E3 when the decoloring processing in the decoloring apparatusE3 is completed.

In this way, according to the third embodiment, a user can grasp,immediately after completion of decoloring processing instructed by theuser, totalization data of a processing result of the decoloringprocessing (an environment contribution ratio, a degree of CO₂reduction, etc.). As a result, it is possible to improve awareness ofthe user concerning paper reuse and improve promotion of reuse of paper.

Further, according to the third embodiment, for example, it is possibleto provide an decoloring apparatus having a configuration explainedbelow.

-   (1). An decoloring apparatus including:

an decoloring processing unit configured to subject a sheet on which animage is formed with an decolorable colorant to decoloring processingfor decoloring a color of the decolorable colorant;

a sheet conveying unit configured to convey the sheet and cause thesheet to pass through the decoloring processing unit;

an image reading unit arranged further on an upstream side than thedecoloring processing unit in a sheet conveying direction by the sheetconveying unit and configured to read the image formed on the sheetconveyed by the sheet conveying unit;

a thickness sensor arranged further on the upstream side than thedecoloring processing unit in the sheet conveying direction by the sheetconveying unit and configured to detect the thickness of the sheetconveyed by the sheet conveying unit;

an decolorability determining unit configured to determine, on the basisof a detection result in at least one of the image reading unit and thethickness sensor, executability of the decoloring processing in thedecoloring processing unit of the sheet set as a detection target;

a storing unit configured to store information indicating the number ofsheets determined as decoloring processing unexecutable by thedecolorability determining unit;

a display; and

a display control unit configured to cause, when the decoloringprocessing is completed, the display to screen-display the informationstored in the storing unit indicating the number of sheets determined asdecoloring processing unexecutable by the decolorability determiningunit.

-   (2). The apparatus of (1), wherein

the storing unit stores at least one of an execution day of thedecoloring processing and identification information of a user whoinstructs an execution of the decoloring processing and the informationindicating the number of sheets determined as decoloring processingunexecutable by the decolorability determining unit in association witheach other,

the apparatus further includes an operation input unit configured toreceive an operation input of the user, and

if the display control unit receives, in the operation input unit, adisplay request for a totalization result of the information stored inthe storing unit indicating the number of sheets determined asdecoloring processing unexecutable by the decolorability determiningunit, which is based on information concerning at least one of theexecution day of the decoloring processing and the identificationinformation of the user who instructs the execution of the decoloringprocessing, the display control unit causes the display toscreen-display the totalization result.

-   (3). The apparatus of (1), further including a reuse-ratio    calculating unit configured to calculate information indicating a    reuse ratio of the sheet on the basis of the number of sheets    determined as decoloring processing unexecutable by the    decolorability determining unit and the number of sheets set as the    detection targets by the thickness sensor, wherein

the display control unit causes the display to screen-display theinformation indicating the reuse ratio of the sheet.

-   (4). The apparatus of (1), wherein, if the sheet set as the    detection target is a sheet on which the decoloring processing in    the decoloring processing unit cannot be executed, the    decolorability determining unit determines, on the basis of the    detection result in at least one of the image reading unit and the    thickness sensor, to which of plural predetermined reasons a reason    for unexecutability of the decoloring processing corresponds.-   (5). The apparatus of (4), wherein the display control unit causes,    on the basis of a determination result in the decolorability    determining unit, the display to screen-display the number of sheets    determined as decoloring processing unexecutable because of each of    the plural reasons for unexecutability of the decoloring processing    in association with each of the plural reasons for unexecutability    of the decoloring processing.-   (6). The apparatus of (4), wherein the display control unit causes    the display to screen-display, in association with the reason for    decoloring processing unexecutability determined by the    decolorability determining unit, a predetermined advice content for    improving a state of unexecutability of the decoloring processing    based on the reason.-   (7). The apparatus of claim (4), wherein the display control unit    causes, on the basis of a determination result in the decolorability    determining unit, the display to screen-display the number of sheets    determined as decoloring processing unexecutable because of each of    the plural reasons for unexecutability of the decoloring processing    in association with each of the plural reasons for unexecutability    of the decoloring processing and causes the display to    screen-display a predetermined advice content for improving a state    of unexecutability of the decoloring processing due to a reason that    the number of sheets determined as decoloring processing    unexecutable is the largest.-   (8). The apparatus of (1), further including a contribution-ratio    calculating unit configured to calculate the number of sheets    subjected to the decoloring processing on the basis of the number of    sheets determined as decoloring processing unexecutable by the    decolorability determining unit and the number of sheets set as the    detection targets by the thickness sensor and calculates an    environmental load contribution ratio calculated by multiplying the    number of sheets subjected to the decoloring processing with a    specified coefficient, wherein

the display control unit causes the display to screen-display theenvironmental load contribution ratio calculated by thecontribution-ratio calculating unit.

-   (9). The apparatus of (8), wherein the environmental load    contribution ratio is a reduction amount of CO₂.-   (10). The apparatus of (1), further including:

a number-of-printed-sheets-information acquiring unit configured toacquire information indicating the number of sheets subjected to printprocessing in an image forming apparatus that can communicate with thedecoloring apparatus; and

an decoloring-processing-execution-ratio calculating unit configured tocalculate an decoloring processing execution ratio that is a ratio ofthe number of sheets subjected to the decoloring processing, which iscalculated on the basis of the number of sheets determined as decoloringprocessing unexecutable by the decolorability determining unit and thenumber of sheets set as the detection targets by the thickness sensor,to the number of sheets acquired by thenumber-of-printed-sheets-information acquiring unit, wherein

the display control unit causes the display to screen-display thedecoloring processing execution ratio.

-   (11). The apparatus of (1), wherein the display control unit causes,    when the decoloring processing is completed, the display to    screen-display a totalization result of information stored in the    storing unit indicating a processing result of the decoloring    processing executed in a predetermined period in the past.

Further, it is possible to provide a computer program for causing acomputer included in the decoloring apparatus to execute the operationsexplained above. In this embodiment, as an example, the computer programfor realizing a function of carrying out the present invention isrecorded in advance in a storage area provided in the apparatus.However, the present invention is not limited to this. The same computerprogram may be downloaded from a network to the apparatus or the samecomputer program stored in a computer-readable recording medium may beinstalled in the apparatus. A form of the recording medium may be anyform as long as the recording medium can store the computer program andcan be read by the computer. Specifically, examples of the recordingmedium include an internal storage device internally mounted in acomputer such as a ROM or a RAM, a portable storage medium such as aCD-ROM, a flexible disk, a DVD disk, a magneto-optical disk, or an ICcard, a database that stores a computer program, other computers anddatabases of the computers, and a transmission medium on a line. Afunction obtained in advance by installation or download in this way maybe realized in cooperation with an OS (operating system) or the like inthe apparatus.

The computer program may be an execution module that is dynamicallygenerated partially or entirely.

It goes without saying that it is also possible to cause the ASIC 802 toexecute, in terms of a circuit, at least a part of the various kinds ofprocessing realized by causing the processor to execute the computerprogram in the embodiments.

It goes without saying that it is also possible to adopt a configurationfor combining the first to third embodiments in a desired combinationand realizing the embodiments according to necessity.

As explained above in detail, with the technique described in thisspecification, it is possible to provide an interface screen on whichinformation concerning a processing state of decoloring processing in andecoloring apparatus is easily grasped.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described hereinmay be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, variousomissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodimentsdescribed herein may be made without departing from the sprit of theinventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intendedto cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope andspirit of the inventions.

1. An decoloring apparatus comprising: an decoloring processing unitconfigured to subject a sheet on which an image is formed with andecolorable colorant to decoloring processing decoloring a color of thedecolorable colorant; a sheet conveying unit configured to convey thesheet and cause the sheet to pass through the decoloring processingunit; an image reading unit arranged further on an upstream side thanthe decoloring processing unit in a sheet conveying direction by thesheet conveying unit and configured to read the image formed on thesheet conveyed by the sheet conveying unit; a thickness sensor arrangedfurther on the upstream side than the decoloring processing unit in thesheet conveying direction by the sheet conveying unit and configured todetect thickness of the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying unit; andecolorability determining unit configured to determine, on the basis ofa detection result in at least one of the image reading unit and thethickness sensor, executability of the decoloring processing in thedecoloring processing unit of the sheet set as a detection target; astoring unit configured to store information indicating a number ofsheets determined as decoloring processing unexecutable by thedecolorability determining unit; a display; and a display control unitconfigured to cause, when the apparatus is started, the display toscreen-display the information stored in the storing unit indicating thenumber of sheets determined as decoloring processing unexecutable by thedecolorability determining unit.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe storing unit stores at least one of an execution day of thedecoloring processing and identification information of a user whoinstructs an execution of the decoloring processing and the informationindicating the number of sheets determined as decoloring processingunexecutable by the decolorability determining unit in association witheach other, the apparatus further comprises an operation input unitconfigured to receive an operation input of the user, and if the displaycontrol unit receives, in the operation input unit, a display requestfor a totalization result of the information stored in the storing unitindicating the number of sheets determined as decoloring processingunexecutable by the decolorability determining unit, which is based oninformation concerning at least one of the execution day of thedecoloring processing and the identification information of the user whoinstructs the execution of the decoloring processing, the displaycontrol unit causes the display to screen-display the totalizationresult.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a reuse-ratiocalculating unit configured to calculate information indicating a reuseratio of the sheet on the basis of the number of sheets determined asdecoloring processing unexecutable by the decolorability determiningunit and a number of sheets set as the detection targets by thethickness sensor, wherein the display control unit causes the display toscreen-display the information indicating the reuse ratio of the sheet.4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, if the sheet set as the detectiontarget is a sheet on which the decoloring processing in the decoloringprocessing unit cannot be executed, the decolorability determining unitdetermines, on the basis of the detection result in at least one of theimage reading unit and the thickness sensor, to which of pluralpredetermined reasons a reason for unexecutability of the decoloringprocessing corresponds.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the displaycontrol unit causes, on the basis of a determination result in thedecolorability determining unit, the display to screen-display a numberof sheets determined as decoloring processing unexecutable because ofeach of the plural reasons for unexecutability of the decoloringprocessing in association with each of the plural reasons forunexecutability of the decoloring processing.
 6. The apparatus of claim4, wherein the display control unit causes the display toscreen-display, in association with the reason for decoloring processingunexecutability determined by the decolorability determining unit, apredetermined advice content for improving a state of unexecutability ofthe decoloring processing based on the reason.
 7. The apparatus of claim4, wherein the display control unit causes, on the basis of adetermination result in the decolorability determining unit, the displayto screen-display a number of sheets determined as decoloring processingunexecutable because of each of the plural reasons for unexecutabilityof the decoloring processing in association with each of the pluralreasons for unexecutability of the decoloring processing and causes thedisplay to screen-display a predetermined advice content for improving astate of unexecutability of the decoloring processing due to a reasonthat the number of sheets determined as decoloring processingunexecutable is the largest.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising a contribution-ratio calculating unit configured to calculatea number of sheets subjected to the decoloring processing on the basisof the number of sheets determined as decoloring processing unexecutableby the decolorability determining unit and a number of sheets set as thedetection targets by the thickness sensor and calculate an environmentalload contribution ratio calculated by multiplying the number of sheetssubjected to the decoloring processing with a specified coefficient,wherein the display control unit causes the display to screen-displaythe environmental load contribution ratio calculated by thecontribution-ratio calculating unit.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8,wherein the environmental load contribution ratio is a reduction amountof CO₂.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: anumber-of-printed-sheets-information acquiring unit configured toacquire information indicating a number of sheets subjected to printprocessing in an image forming apparatus that can communicate with thedecoloring apparatus; and an decoloring-processing-execution-ratiocalculating unit configured to calculate an decoloring processingexecution ratio that is a ratio of a number of sheets subjected to thedecoloring processing, which is calculated on the basis of the number ofsheets determined as decoloring processing unexecutable by thedecolorability determining unit and a number of sheets set as thedetection targets by the thickness sensor, to the number of sheetsacquired by the number-of-printed-sheets-information acquiring unit,wherein the display control unit causes the display to screen-displaythe decoloring processing execution ratio.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the display control unit causes, when the apparatus is started,the display to screen-display a totalization result of informationstored in the storing unit indicating a processing result of decoloringprocessing executed in a predetermined period in the past.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the storing unit stores an execution dayof decoloring processing and information indicating the number of sheetsdetermined as decoloring processing unexecutable by the decolorabilitydetermining unit in association with each other, and the display controlunit causes, every time a predetermined time elapses, the display tosequentially switch and display each of plural totalization resultsdifferent from one another based on the information stored in thestoring unit indicating the number of sheets determined as decoloringprocessing unexecutable by the decolorability determining unit.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 12, further comprising: an operation input unitconfigured to receive an operation input of a user, wherein the storingunit stores the execution day of decoloring processing and theinformation indicating the number of sheets determined as decoloringprocessing unexecutable by the decolorability determining unit inassociation with each other, and if a display request for thetotalization result is input in the operation input unit, the displaycontrol unit causes the display to sequentially switch and display eachof the plural totalization results different from one another based onthe information stored in the storing unit indicating the number ofsheets determined as decoloring processing unexecutable by thedecolorability determining unit.
 14. An decoloring apparatus comprising:an decoloring processing unit configured to subject a sheet on which animage is formed with an decolorable colorant to decoloring processingdecoloring a color of the decolorable colorant; a sheet conveying unitconfigured to convey the sheet and cause the sheet to pass through thedecoloring processing unit; an image reading unit arranged further on anupstream side than the decoloring processing unit in a sheet conveyingdirection by the sheet conveying unit and configured to read the imageformed on the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying unit; a thicknesssensor arranged further on the upstream side than the decoloringprocessing unit in the sheet conveying direction by the sheet conveyingunit and configured to detect thickness of the sheet conveyed by thesheet conveying unit; an decolorability determining unit configured todetermine, on the basis of a detection result in at least one of theimage reading unit and the thickness sensor, executability of thedecoloring processing in the decoloring processing unit of the sheet setas a detection target; a storing unit configured to store informationindicating a number of sheets determined as decoloring processingunexecutable by the decolorability determining unit; a display; and adisplay control unit configured to cause, when the decoloring processingis completed, the display to screen-display the information stored inthe storing unit indicating the number of sheets determined asdecoloring processing unexecutable by the decolorability determiningunit.
 15. The apparatus of 14, wherein the storing unit stores at leastone of an execution day of the decoloring processing and identificationinformation of a user who instructs an execution of the decoloringprocessing and the number of sheets determined as decoloring processingunexecutable by the decolorability determining unit in association witheach other, the apparatus further comprises an operation input unitconfigured to receive an operation input of the user, and if the displaycontrol unit receives, in the operation input unit, a display requestfor a totalization result of the information stored in the storing unitindicating the number of sheets determined as decoloring processingunexecutable by the decolorability determining unit, which is based oninformation concerning at least one of the execution day of thedecoloring processing and the identification information of the user whoinstructs the execution of the decoloring processing, the displaycontrol unit causes the display to screen-display the totalizationresult.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a reuse-ratiocalculating unit configured to calculate information indicating a reuseratio of the sheet on the basis of the number of sheets determined asdecoloring processing unexecutable by the decolorability determiningunit and a number of sheets set as the detection targets by thethickness sensor, wherein the display control unit causes the display toscreen-display the information indicating the reuse ratio of the sheet.17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein, if the sheet set as thedetection target is a sheet on which the decoloring processing in thedecoloring processing unit cannot be executed, the decolorabilitydetermining unit determines, on the basis of the detection result in atleast one of the image reading unit and the thickness sensor, to whichof plural predetermined reasons a reason for unexecutability of thedecoloring processing corresponds.
 18. The apparatus of 17, wherein thedisplay control unit causes, on the basis of a determination result inthe decolorability determining unit, the display to screen-display anumber of sheets determined as decoloring processing unexecutablebecause of each of the plural reasons for unexecutability of thedecoloring processing in association with each of the plural reasons forunexecutability of the decoloring processing.
 19. The apparatus of 17,wherein the display control unit causes the display to screen-display,in association with the reason for decoloring processing unexecutabilitydetermined by the decolorability determining unit, a predeterminedadvice content for improving a state of unexecutability of thedecoloring processing based on the reason.
 20. The apparatus of 14,wherein the display control unit causes, when the decoloring processingis completed, the display to screen-display a totalization result ofinformation stored in the storing unit indicating a processing result ofthe decoloring processing executed in a predetermined period in thepast.